Arthur P. Dobler --2002

     Arthur P. Dobler, son of one of the pioneer families of Kit Carson County, passed away on Friday, April 12, 2002, at the age of 91 years 7 months and 12 days. He was born on the family homestead north of Bethune on Aug. 31, 1910, the fourth son of John and Magdalena Stutz Dobler.
     His childhood years were spent growing up on the homestead. He attended school, grades 1-8, at the rural Prairie View School District north of Bethune. Art was also active, along with the rest of his family, in the Settlement Hope Congregational Church where he was confirmed on May 17, 1925.
     He spent his early adult life on the family homestead farming with his parents and brothers and lending a helping hand to neighbors. In 1929, he ventured a trip to the west coast on his 1923 Harley Davidson motorcycle, where he visited relatives.
     On April 11, 1937, Arthur and Emma Ziegler were united in marriage on a Sunday afternoon at Hope Congregational Church parsonage. They left that same afternoon to begin their life together on an irrigated farm near Proctor. To this union, their first son Kenneth Lee was born on March 29, 1938. In 1940, after drought conditions had subsided, Art moved his family back to the Dobler homestead where he farmed and established a herd of registered Hereford cattle. On Dec. 1, 1942, a second son, Charles Leslie, was born.
      Art served on the Prairie View School Board and was involved in laying the groundwork for consolidation of rural schools. He also served on the Hope Congregational Church Board. He was a member of the Christian Business Men’s Chorus, which was an ecumenical religious organization.
     In the fall of 1952 the family moved to their present location so the boys could attend Burlington High School where they would be active in the vocational agriculture program. Before this move took place, Art began planning the windbreak around the new farm location. At this time, they moved their church membership to the First Christian Church in Burlington, where he held various church offices and enjoyed many years of singing in the choir and the men’s chorus.
     Art continued farming with his son Kenneth and his grandson Ron until his retirement. He remained on the farmstead and helped with harvest and was quick to respond whenever summoned.  Art enjoyed spending time with his great-grandchildren and teaching them the ways of the pioneer life. When the kids weren’t around, you could find Art working outside or reading various magazines and newspapers. Art and Emma celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary the day before his death.
     Art is survived by his wife Emma of the home; son Kenneth and wife Cathy; grandson Ron; granddaughter Luann and husband Jeff Nitsch; great-grandchildren Caleb and Caitlyn Nitsch; brother Elmer and wife Dolores, all of Burlington; and a host of nieces and nephews.  Preceding him in death were his son Charles; his parents, John and Magdalena; infant sister Magdalena Dorothea; brothers Bill, John, Ted, and Walter.
     Funeral services for Art were held on Tuesday, April 16, 2002, at 11 a.m. at First Christian Church in Burlington. Officiating ministers were Paul Barker and Joe Massi.  Musical selections were provided by Art’s nephews and Hope Congregational Church men’s choir. Musicians were Merna Carlin and Deb Dobler.  Casket bearers were Tom Dobler, Don Dobler, Jim Dobler, Raymond Dobler, Alvin Strobel, Arnold Strobel, and Leland Strobel. Honorary bearers were Art’s remaining nephews.  Art was laid to rest in the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington. Memorials may be made in Art’s name to the First Christian Church and may be left at Community First National Bank in Burlington.